Brush applicator

ABSTRACT

The bristles of a brush applicator for cosmetics are mounted in a centrally located bushing, which is mounted on radial ribs at the outlet from the barrel. The paste to be applied is forced by a lead screw and piston through the ribs into an ample annular space between a surrounding ferrule and the outside of the bushing. A shoulder on the ferrule compresses the tips of the bushing ribs against the outlet, and its outlet nozzle closely engages the bristles and directs the paste into their tip end. The lead screw is rotated by a knob secured to its rear end, which is snapped into the back end of the casing, to advance an octagon shaped piston through a correspondingly shaped barrel.

United States Patent 1 Ca'taneo et al.

[ BRUSH APPLICATOR [75] Inventors: Ralph J. Cataneo, Brooklyn, N.Y.;

Eustace Fotiu, Mahwah, NJ.

[73] Assignee: Pfizer lnc., New York, NY.

[22] Filed: June 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 262,118

[ June 19, 1973 Primary ExaminerRobert Peshock Assistant ExaminerGregoryEQMcNeill A tt0r ney-Arthur G. Connolly, Nathan Bakalar, Jacob C. Kellemet a1.

[ 57] ABSTRACT The bristles of a brush applicator for cosmetics aremounted in a centrally located bushing, which is mounted on radial ribsat the outlet from the barrel. The paste to be applied is forced by alead screw and piston through the ribs into an ample annular space between a surrounding ferrule and the outside of the bushing. A shoulderon the ferrule compresses the tips of the bushing ribs against theoutlet, and its outlet nozzle closely engages the bristles and directsthe paste into their tip end. The lead screw is rotated by a knobsecured to its rear end, which is snapped into the back end of thecasing, to advance an octagon shaped piston through a correspondinglyshaped barrel.

18 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Existing brushapplicators force their stored paste or liquid internally through thelength of the brush. This incurs considerable flow resistance anddislodging of loose bristles upon initial operation when substantial airmust be expelled ahead of the paste. The restricted flow passagesthrough the length of the bristles are also subject to caking andobstruction. An object of this invention is to provide an efficient,free flowing, simple and economical brush applicator for liquids orpastes, particularly cosmetics.

SUMMARY The brush for applying paste dispensed from an applicator iscentrally attached in front of the barrel outlet and within a ferruleterminating in a nozzle, which closely engages the tip of the brushextending through it. The paste freely flows through the ample annularspace between the bushing and ferrule into the tip of the bristles atthe nozzle. The brush may be advantageously mounted in a bushingsuspended by radial ribs mounted in front of the outlet. The ribs mayslant backwardly to facilitate attachment to the rim of the outlet undera shoulder on the ferrule. An ample annular flow area between thebushing and ferrule facilitates the flow through it and the deposit ofthe paste onto the tip of the brush promotes efficient application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Novel features and advantages of thepresent invention will-become apparent to one skilled in the art from areading of the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer tosimilar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view in elevation with cap broken away incross-section of a brush applicator which is one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation of the applicator shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the cap end of the applicator shown inFIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line4-4;

FIG. 4A is abrush end elevation of a modified form of the applicatorshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with cap removed;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line5--5;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line6-6;

FIG. '7 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line7-7;

' FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 2 along the line8-8;

FIG. 9 is a front end view of the brush-mounting bushing shown in FIG.2;

FIG. 10 is a side view in elevation of the piston shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a front end view of the FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the barrel shown in FIG. 2 with knob removed;

FIG. 13 is a side view in elevation partially broken away in crosssection of the knob shown in FIG. 2; and

piston shown in FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 13along the line 14-14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1 is shown a brushapplicator 10 for applying a fluid paste or viscous liquid stored inbarrel 12 by brush 14 extending longitudinally outwardly through nozzle16 at the terminal end of ferrule 18 attached to barrel 12 by skirt 20.Cap 22 covers brush 14 when applicator 10 is not being used. Applicator10 is highly useful for applying cosmetic substances, such as lipcoatings, by rotation of knob 24, which forces the paste out onto thetip end of brush 14 as later described in detail.

FIG. 2 and related cross sections show the octagonal interior crosssection of barrel 12 within which cupshaped piston 26 is traversed byrotation of lead screw 28. Knob 24 is attached to the rear end of leadscrew 28 by engagement of ribbed end 30 within square socket 32 in knob24, as shown in FIG. 2 and 8. Lead screw 28 is rotatably supported bythe disposition of bearing disc 34 within cylindrical section 36 ofbarrel 12. The rest of lead screw 28 is axially supported withinlongitudinal cavity 38 of barrel 12 by engagement through piston 26.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the flanged front end 40 of piston 26 isoctagonally shaped and engages the corresponding shaped inner wall ofcavity 38. This maintains piston 26 rotatably fixed relative to barrel12 to make it advance through it in response to rotation of knob 24 andlead screw 28. Knob 24 has its ridged front end 42 snapped into circulargroove 44 within the rear end of barrel l2 and its ratchet tooth 46engaged within circular pawl 48 in the extreme rear end of barrel 12 asshown in FIG. 12. Knob 24 has its smaller end 50 made compressible byslot 52 to facilitate insertion.

The parts previously described are conveniently made of plastics withthe exception of the brush 14. The external parts and piston 26 are, forexample, made of a strong shock resistant plastic, such aspolypropylene, and the internal parts are made of a relatively flexibleand self-lubricating plastic such as nylon. Other available materialssuch as metals may be utilized for the previously described parts withsuitable revisions attributable to their different characteristics.Bushing 54 and ferrule 18 are conveniently made of an extruded metal,such as aluminum, suitably plated or anodized.

The functional front end of applicator 10 includes brush I4 centrallymounted in bushing 54 in front of and within outlet mouth 56 of barrel12. Bushing 54 is slightly tapered from its mounting to terminal end andis mounted on radial ribs 58 whose tips are secured to mouth 56 byengagement under shoulder 60 of ferrule 18. Skirt 20 of ferrule 18closely engages grooved outlet end 62 of barrel 12 to seal it and securebushing 54 in place. Skirt 20 may include circular ridges (not shown) toengage circular grooves 63. Bell 64 of ferrule 18 surrounds bushing 54and provides an ample annular flow passage 66 between it and bushing 54.Nozzle 16 of ferrule 18 closely engages near the tip of brush 14 todirect paste 68 flowing from barrel 12 onto the tip of brush 14. Thedeposit of the paste or viscous liquid in the tip of brush 14 highlypromotes efficient painting application. This is highly superior toprior internal feeding which distorts and cakes the brush and interfereswith accurate sharp-edged brushing, which is highly important inapplying a lip coating cosmetic.

Ribs 58 are relatively narrow with ample openings 70 between them thusproviding a free flow for paste 68 through mouth 56 of barrel 12 ontoannular flow passage 66. Ribs 58 may be described as the portions of aflange remaining when outlets 70 are removed. Flats 72 on ferrule 18shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 facilitate forming the flat brush tip therebyforming cross section of nozzle l6. Nozzle 16A in FIG. 4A has a roundcross section.

We claim:

1. A brush applicator comprising an elongated hollow barrel for storinga flowable substance, said barrel having an open outlet end,pressure-applying means in said barrel for forcing said substance toflow out of said outlet, a brush having a shank between tip and rearends and a smaller cross-sectional area than said outlet, support meansmounting said rear end of said brush centrally in front of said outlet,a ferrule attached to said outlet end of said casing and about saidsupport means and said shank of said brush, said ferrule being spacedfrom said support means whereby an ample annular flow passage isprovided between said ferrule and said support means and part of saidshank, said ferrule having a smaller nozzle tip end, said brush tipextending longitudinally through said nozzle tip end of said ferrule,and said nozzle tip end of said ferrule being disposed closely adjacentsaid shank of said brush whereby said substance flowing in said annularflow passage is directed onto said shank and said tip of said brush forapplication by said tip.

2. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said support meanscomprises a bushing, said brush being inserted and secured within saidbushing, radial ribs upon said bushing, and securing means attaching theends of said ribs to the outlet end of said barrel.

3. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said bushing isslightly tapered with its smaller end disposed adjacent said nozzle.

4. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said radial ribsare disposed on the end of said bushing adjacent said outlet.

5. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said radial ribsare inclined at an angle away from said brush toward said outlet end ofsaid barrel.

6. A brush applicator as set forth in claim wherein said ribs constituteportions of an inclined flange on the end of said bushing having cutoutsthrough which said substance flows.

7. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said ferrule has ashoulder, and said shoulder secures the ends of said ribs to the mouthof said outlet.

8. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 7 wherein the portion ofsaid ferrule remote from said nozzle comprises a skirt and said skirtengages the outside of said barrel adjacent said outlet.

9. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidpressure-applying means comprises a lead screw and threaded pistonassembly, a circular bearing in the end of said barrel remote from saidoutlet, a bearing disc on said lead screw rotatably engaging saidbearing surface, a knob, and projection and socket means securing saidknob to said lead screw whereby turning of said knob imparts rotationalmovement to said lead screw and advancement of said piston.

10. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 9 wherein said knobincludes a central recess, and longitudinal ribs are disposed on the endof said lead screw to comprise said projection means which engage intosaid recess.

11. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 10 wherein resilientannular ridge and groove means removably attach said knob to saidcasing.

12. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nozzle issubstantially flat in cross section and imparts a corresponding shape tosaid brush.

13. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nozzle issubstantially round in cross section and imparts a corresponding shapeto said brush.

14. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 9 wherein said threadedpiston includes a cylindrical cavity in its end disposed adjacent saidoutlet.

15. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 9 wherein the inner surfaceof said casing and the contacting surface of said piston havecorresponding polygonal shapes.

16. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 15 wherein said polygonalshape is an octagon.

17. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein an elongated capis removably mounted upon said ferrule to cover said brush.

18. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ferrule issubstantially bell shaped.

1. A brush applicator comprising an elongated hollow barrel for storinga flowable substance, said barrel having an open outlet end,pressure-applying means in said barrel for forcing said substance toflow out of said outlet, a brush having a shank between tip and rearends and a smaller cross-sectional area than said outlet, support meansmounting said rear end of said brush centrally in front of said outlet,a ferrule attached to said outlet end of said casing and about saidsupport means and said shank of said brush, said ferrule being spacedfrom said support means whereby an ample annular flow passage isprovided between said ferrule and said support means and part of saidshank, said ferrule having a smaller nozzle tip end, said brush tipextending longitudinally through said nozzle tip end of said ferrule,and said nozzle tip end of said ferrule being disposed closely adjacentsaid shank of said brush whereby said substance flowing in said annularflow passage is directed onto said shank and said tip of said brush forapplication by said tip.
 2. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1wherein said support means comprises a bushing, said brush beinginserted and secured within said bushing, radial ribs upon said bushing,and securing means attaching the ends of said ribs to the outlet end ofsaid barrel.
 3. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidbushing is slightly tapered with its smaller end disposed adjacent saidnozzle.
 4. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidradial ribs are disposed on the end of said bushing adjacent saidoutlet.
 5. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein saidradial ribs are inclined at an angle away from said brush toward saidoutlet end of said barrel.
 6. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 5wherein said ribs constitute portions of an inclined flange on the endof said bushing having cutouts through which said substance flows.
 7. Abrush applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein said ferrule has ashoulder, and said shoulder secures the ends of said ribs to the mouthof said outlet.
 8. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 7 whereinthe portion of said ferrule remote from said nozzle comprises a skirtand said skirt engages the outside of said barrel adjacent said outlet.9. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidpressure-applying means comprises a lead screw and threaded pistonassembly, a circular bearing in the end of said barrel remote from saidoutlet, a bearing disc on said lead screw rotatably engaging saidbearing surface, a knob, and projection and socket means securing saidknob to said lead screw whereby turning of said knob imparts rotationalmovement to said lead screw and advancement of said piston.
 10. A brushapplicator as set forth in claim 9 wherein said knob includes a centralrecess, and longitudinal ribs are disposed on the end of said lead screwto comprise said projection means which engage into said recess.
 11. Abrush applicator as set forth in claim 10 wherein resilient annularridge and groove means removably attach said knob to said casing.
 12. Abrush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nozzle issubstantially flat in cross section and imparts a corresponding shape tosaid brush.
 13. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidnozzle is substantially round in cross section and imparts acorresponding shape to said brush.
 14. A brush applicator as set forthin claim 9 wherein said threaded piston includes a cylindrical cavity inits end disposed adjacent said outlet.
 15. A brush applicator as setforth in claim 9 wherein the inner surface of said casing and thecontacting surface of said piston have corresponding polygonal shapes.16. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 15 wherein said polygonalshape is an octagon.
 17. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1wherein an elongatEd cap is removably mounted upon said ferrule to coversaid brush.
 18. A brush applicator as set forth in claim 1 wherein saidferrule is substantially bell shaped.